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Dietetic Directions Blog - Dietetic Directions - Dietitian and Nutritionist in Kitchener/Waterloo
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Dietetic Directions Blog

April 23, 2013
Blog

Crazy for Coffee?

I am writing this blog with sunlight streaming in and a piping hot coffee in hand.  If you are also a fan of coffee, one of the most popular beverages in the world, you may already be familiar with the noted health benefits or you may have sat puzzled when news stories raised concern for its possible negative effects.  Today, I will explore the impact of coffee on our health!  Stay tuned for my next posting where I will breakdown how much caffeine per day and the amounts in different beverages. Coffee 101: Caffeine has been consumed for thousands of years as a stimulant and can be found in common beverages like coffee, tea, soft...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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April 11, 2013
Blog

Eggs, Should we Skip the Yolk?

In effort to cut down on total calories and total fat, it is not uncommon for ‘health-conscious’ consumers to forgo their yellow yolks and instead opt for merely the egg whites. Have you ever wondered if this is actually an advantageous practice for cholesterol lowering? Today, I will explore the 'whole egg truth'.

First Let’s Compare:

Egg (large)
Calories (kcal)
Protein (grams)
Saturated 'BAD' Fat (grams)
Cholesterol (mg)
Vitamins, Minerals

Whole Egg
74
6
1.7
186
folate, choline, vitamin A, riboflavin, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and healthy fatty acids

Egg Yolk ONLY
58
3
1.7
186
folate, choline, vitamin A, riboflavin, iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and healthy fatty acids

Egg Whites
16
3
0
0
Trace amounts

It is true that skipping the...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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April 2, 2013
Blog

Interested in Cooking with Tofu?

Would you like to add tofu to the menu but are unsure how?  Today, we will explore the tremendous versatility or ‘chameleon qualities’ of tofu along with its nutritional profile. First, we must define tofu.  Tofu is made from soybeans, water and a curdling agent that is used to extract the solid proteins before it is pressed into a block.  Tofu has origins in China dating back approximately 2,000 years!  Tofu is extremely popular in vegetarian cooking and comes in two main kinds:  soft or silken tofu and firm or regular tofu. Want to learn how to cook with tofu? Look no further! Click To Tweet Notes on Preparing Tofu: Tofu can be found in the produce section of the grocery store Before cooking with tofu, drain off as...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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March 25, 2013
Blog

Red Wine Health Benefits

Have you heard through the ‘grape vine’ that red wine is heart healthy?  Well, this may be attributed to a type of naturally occurring antioxidant (aka polyphenol) called resveratrol.  Today we will explore resveratrol, how it works along with the possible health benefits! Did you know that red wine is heart healthy? Click To Tweet What is Resveratrol? Resveratrol is a type of antioxidant that is found in the skin of red grapes.  Red wine contains more polyphenols than white wine since red wine is fermented in grape skins for longer periods.  Resveratrol can be found in other foods as well such as grapes, peanuts, cranberries, blueberries and grape juice. Health Benefits of Red Wine: Resveratrol appears to protect the lining of blood vessels by preventing plaque build-up, this decreases the...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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March 11, 2013
Blog

Inulin causing Gas or Bloating?

This is a follow-up to my previous blog post entitled, the Scoop on Inulin.  We have already discussed how inulin is a type of fibre that many food manufactures use to achieve a “high fibre”claim on their products.  Today, I will delve into how inulin works in the body and why some people experience symptoms of intolerance (ie. gas, bloating, stomach pain or diarrhea). What is inulin and why do some people experience intolerance from it? Click To Tweet How inulin works in the body: Upon ingestion of inulin, this type of fibre moves through the body undigested (like other fibres) and into the large intestine where it is fermented by your intestinal bacteria.   This is why inulin is...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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March 8, 2013
Blog

The Scoop on Inulin

With all the hype on high fibre foods and their associated health benefits, it is no wonder that we are seeing more and more products emerge on grocery shelves boasting the extremely sought-after high fibre claim. This blog will explore one of the most common ways that these high fibre claims are achieved, which is often through the use of an ingredient called inulin. What is Inulin?  Inulin naturally occurs in some plants and is a type of dietary fibre since the human body cannot digest it. More specifically, inulin is a fructan, which is basically a fancy word to imply that there are fructose (sugar) components.   Fructans occur in foods such as asparagus, leeks, garlic, onions and artichokes and...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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March 4, 2013
Blog

Welcome to Nutrition Month!

March is Nutrition Month- a time for Canadians to celebrate healthy food choices and the positive impact these have on our health and personal well-being. During March, we need to join together and talk about nutrition in order to raise awareness on the link between healthy eating and disease prevention.  Nutrition plays a crucial role in many chronic health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, obesity etc.  Nutrition Month is also a time to promote the role of Registered Dietitians as your trusted source for science-based recommendations.     Nutrition plays crucial role in many chronic health conditions Click To Tweet FYI: Nutrition Month first started in 1973 where it was a week-long event. By 1980, with the increased interest in nutrition, the campaign increased to a month long event. FYI: Nutrition Month started in 1973 as a week-long event Click To Tweet Our 2013...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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February 28, 2013
Blog

The Skinny on Cow’s Milk & Alternatives

What is better: cow’s milk, soy milk, almond milk, rice milk or coconut milk?  Are they nutritionally equivalent - meaning they have the same amounts of calcium, fat and protein?   If you have asked yourself these questions you have come to the right spot! Which is nutritionally better: cow, soy, almond, rice or coconut milk? Click To Tweet First, before doing a nutritional comparison, it is important to mention that people choose dairy alternatives for diverse reasons.   If you are a vegetarian or a vegan you might choose a milk alternative, like soy or almond milk, because they are plant-based.   Additionally, if you are lactose intolerant you might choose an...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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February 25, 2013
Blog

Best Weight Loss Apps!

As a dietitian in private practice, I am always intrigued when clients introduce me to new nutrition apps they use diligently on their smart phones to track their food and physical activity.  What a great tool to use on a healthy living and/or weight loss journey.  This blog is dedicated to introducing weight loss apps that come highly recommended. Dietitian reviewed, highly recommended weight loss apps! Click To Tweet Tip: To make these trackers most useful enter your food and activity right after consumption or activity to increase the accuracy and your awareness. Of the 3 apps I will review today, there are components they all have in common: • Track food intake throughout the day • Account for energy expenditure vs. dietary intake • Input weight and height along with goals •...

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by Andrea D’Ambrosio, RD
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